Chamber puts out call for recipes

By DOUG McDONOUGH dmcdonough@hearstnp.com

Published 10:14 am, Tuesday, November 17, 2015

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James Hall, 17, a senior at Plainview Christian High School, is the November Student of the Month at the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. Introduced at Tuesday’s board meeting, he is the son of Jim and Connie Hall. School activities include basketball, tennis and art. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Harvest Christian Fellowship. Hall volunteers with Meals on Wheels as well as Covenant Health Plainview, and enjoys playing sports, working and hanging out with friends. Following graduation, he hopes to be accepted into the Texas Tech School of Medicine. less

James Hall, 17, a senior at Plainview Christian High School, is the November Student of the Month at the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. Introduced at Tuesday’s board meeting, he is the son of Jim and Connie ... more

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Graphic Zone, represented by manager Ryan Oglesby and owner Michael Rodriquez, was recognized Tuesday as the Chamber’s Business of the Month for November. Located at 2405 W. Fifth, the business celebrated its third anniversary in October. It specializes in signs, T-shirts, banners and similar items including vehicle wraps. Graphic Zone produced the vehicle wrap for the Chamber’s PT Cruiser that features fiberglass cows from Plainview’s fanciful herd. less

Graphic Zone, represented by manager Ryan Oglesby and owner Michael Rodriquez, was recognized Tuesday as the Chamber’s Business of the Month for November. Located at 2405 W. Fifth, the business celebrated its ... more

Chamber puts out call for recipes

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Patricia Alvarez on Tuesday encouraged Plainview Chamber of Commerce directors to share their favorite recipes in that organization’s first-ever cookbook, which should be ready for distribution at the annual Chamber Awards Banquet in February.

Speaking at the monthly Chamber board meeting, Alvarez said the book is sure to be a keepsake in the years to come.

“We need these recipes to be turned in soon so we can meet the publisher’s deadlines,” explains Alvarez, who is Chamber president.

The cookbook project is being chaired by Kathy Bertsch, and businesses that are Chamber members have been invited to submit recipes for the book, based on the number of employees. Businesses with 51 or more can submit up to four recipes. Those with 21 to 50 employees can to submit three. Those with one to 20 employees may send in two.

In keeping with Plainview's cow theme, the cookbook is titled "Moooooving Back into the Kitchen: Plainview Chamber of Commerce 2015 Best Business Recipes." A number of amusing section titles adds what Alvarez calls "pizzazz" to the book.

They are:

Fun Stuff: Appetizers/Hors-d'oeuvres

Sunday Sides: Side Dishes/Salads/Breads

Company's Coming: Entrees/Casseroles

Worth the Wait/Weight: Desserts

Traditions: Brief outline of how your family and friends enjoy this recipe

The books will be $20 each and Alvarez hopes it will become an annual project.

Submit typed-only recipes to: info@plainviewtexaschamber.com or drop it off at the Chamber of Commerce at 1906 W. Fifth St.

“This is something that businesses can really have fun with,” Alvarez added. “The credit union had a luncheon with everyone bringing their favorite dishes, and they voted on which recipes to submit.”

Alvarez reported that the Chamber plans to host a Farmer Appreciation Breakfast in February.

“We want to let them know just how much we appreciate them, and recognize how much they contribute to the community and our economy.”

Chamber Executive Director Linda Morris reported that Hale on Wheels Cycling Club has agreed to assume responsibilities for the annual Cowboy Days Bike Ride. “We feel they are in a better position to take this event and move it to a higher level,” Morris said.

As seed money, the Chamber will give the club $1,000 for next year’s event. That’s about a third of the remaining $3,300 funding given to the Chamber by Azteca Milling several years ago as a sponsor for the annual ride. The remainder, Morris said, will be held in reserve to support the event in the future.

Reporting on the Shop Local Campaign that kicked off Oct. 22, Morris said 20 volunteers visited more than 80 local retailers, distributing decals, reusable shopping bags and marketing materials. The popular promotion continues with related pictures carrying the hashtag #plainviewtx being shared on social media and in newspaper advertising. The Chamber is working with local radio stations in a popular contest promoting the Shop Local campaign. “Lots of people are involved and it’s really rolling along,” Morris said.”

The Chamber will join with Wayland’s Enactus for the next Business Success Series program, at noon Monday, Nov. 23, at the Chamber. It will be a Small Business Seminar.

Main Street Manager Melinda Brown reported that the downtown Christmas snowflake donations were put into place on Monday, and two new downtown businesses have opened - Milagro’s Boutique and Taco N to Go.

The downtown trick or treat event draw large numbers of costumed children, and the recent Turkey Trot race and related 2nd Friday events were well attended, as were the Halloween movies at the Fair Theatre.

Dr. Michael Farr, local orthopedic surgeon, reported on the $40 million renovation and expansion at Covenant Health Plainview. He noted that upgrades have been made to the physical plant and phase one is under way. That includes expansion of the surgical center and the addition to four operating rooms.

Mike Fox, executive director of the Plainview-Hale County Economic Development Corporation, said his group is working with Neo Waste, which hopes to construct a tire recycling facility in Plainview. “They hope to be up and running this summer,” Fox said. The facility is expected to have 30 full-time employees with an average hourly wage of $22.

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He recently received a schedule of wind turbine components to be delivered to the local TTS distribution facility in 2016. It calls for the delivery of 5,000 train-car loads during the year, which roughly translates to 8,000 outbound truckloads of blades, towers, N-cells and other components.

“That adds up to more than 100 truckloads a day,” he said. “That’s really a lot of activity, and we are proud to be a part of this. It has having a very positive impact on the strong growth in sales tax as well as the reduction in our unemployment rate.”